A monthly electronic newsletter summarizing Minnesota climate conditions and the
resulting impact on water resources.

Distributed on the Wednesday following the first Monday of each month.

State Climatology Office - DNR Waters

compiled 6/7/05

WHAT HAS HAPPENED

- May 2005 monthly precipitation totals were above normal in most Minnesota communities. A number of slow moving storm systems drifted across Minnesota during the month, leading to frequent rainfalls and persistent cloudiness. Many locations reported rainfall on more than half of the days in May. Monthly rainfall totals topped seven inches in some southwestern and south central Minnesota counties. Precipitation totals exceeded normal by more than two inches across much of southwestern, south central and north central Minnesota.
(see: http://climate.umn.edu/cawap/monsum/monsum.asp
)
- May 2005 was uncommonly gloomy throughout Minnesota. Measurements made on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus indicate that total monthly solar radiation was the second lowest for May since records began in 1963.
- May 2005 monthly mean temperatures were two to four degrees below historical averages across Minnesota. The first three days of the month averaged about 14 to 16 degrees colder than normal. Record low maximum temperature records were set in some locations on May 1, May 2, and May 12. Snowfall was observed in many locations on the 2nd. Record cold minimum temperatures were reported on May 3. The temperature extremes for May ranged from 85 degrees at Browns Valley (Traverse county) on the 21st, to just 8 degrees at Embarrass (St. Louis county) on the 3rd.
(see: http://climate.umn.edu/cawap/monsum/monsum.asp
)

WHERE WE STAND NOW

- growing season precipitation totals to date (April 1 - early June) are at or above normal in most Minnesota counties. In some sections of southwestern and northwestern Minnesota, seasonal precipitation totals exceed 150 percent of normal and rank historically above the 85th percentile for the date.
(see: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/weekmap.asp
)
- as of May 31, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) - U. S. Drought Monitor indicated that all Minnesota counties are free of drought designations. The NDMC index is a blend of science and subjectivity where intensity categories are based on six key indicators and numerous supplementary indicators.
(see: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
)
- the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service reports that as of June 3, the state's topsoil moisture was 0% very short, 2% short, 69% adequate, and 29% surplus. Persistently wet weather has hindered some agricultural field work operations.
(see: http://www.nass.usda.gov/mn/cwmn.htm
)
- the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that stream discharge values for two thirds of Minnesota's rivers and streams rank above the 75th percentile for the date. In a few areas, stream flows exceed the 90th percentile when compared with historical data for this date. Some minor flooding is occurring in the Red River basin.
(see: http://water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/dailyMainW?state=mn&map_type=weekd
, http://climate.umn.edu/dow/weekly_stream_flow/stream_flow_weekly.asp
)
- the potential for wildfires is rated by DNR Forestry as "low" across all of Minnesota.
(see: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/ )